Willard Nyberg, 75, Tribune Employee

March 15, 1996|By Kenan Heise, Tribune Staff Writer

Willard G. "Shadow" Nyberg, 75, a former employee in the circulation department of the Tribune, joined the paper in 1936. When he retired, he was in charge of street newspaper boxes, known as honor boxes.

A resident of Niles, he died at home Wednesday.

"Individuals like Shadow are rare," said Howard Hay, vice president and director of circulation for the Tribune. "He had an undying faith in the goodness of people and helped so many fellow employees with guidance and encouragement and even financial help when they needed it. He was always the first employee to contribute his Fair Share to the Crusade of Mercy and that continued after his retirement. He made many contributions to our successes by his commitment to high standards and his creative instincts and wise counsel."

A native of Akron, Mr. Nyberg received the nickname Shadow as a child because he had been born on Groundhog Day.

Mr. Nyberg joined the Tribune as a driver's helper in 1936. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corps in 1942 and was sent to the South Pacific, where he participated in three major battles.

After returning to the newspaper, he worked as a route driver in the Logan Square neighborhood. as a driver and then as supervisor in street sales before taking over responsibility for street honor boxes.